Himansh Kohli, who has done his schooling from KR Mangalam World School, GK 2, says, “My parents would take us to an amusement park or for a film on Children’s Day. We used to go to the trade fair also and shop a lot there. It was the best way to celebrate the day. The day before Children’s Day, our school would also take us out for movies. Our Annual Day function would happen around the same time and we used to perform and participate in lots of activities. I have very fond memories of Children’s Day.”

Gautam Rode

We used to have a special assembly in our school on Children’s Day: Gautam Rode

Gautam Rode, who has done his schooling from Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, says, “There used to be a special assembly in our school on Children’s Day. I remember, going to the Nehru Planetarium also once on Children’s Day. That was a fun experience. At the special assembly, we used to have poem recitals and inter-house dance and singing competitions.”

Nitibha Kaul

The teachers would dress up and perform for us: Nitibha Kaul

Former ‘Bigg Boss’ contestant Nitibha Kaul, who did her schooling from St Thomas’ Girls Senior Secondary School, Mandir Marg, says, “Children’s Day in our school was always special. The teachers would go out of their comfort zone and dress up and put up brilliant performances for us. I loved going to school on that day. It was a day we all felt special, it was our day and we were made to feel the joy of being a kid.”

Manjot Singh

It was a day when you were excited to go to school: Manjot Singh

‘Fukrey’ actor Manjot Singh, who did his schooling from Hillwoods Academy, Preet Vihar, says, “This was a day for celebration. Our school would have cultural events and it was something we looked forward to. Uss din school jaane ki excitement hoti thi. That is something I miss today. The excitement for Children’s Day is only till you are in school. After that, it’s all work.”

Nimrat Kaur

We would ask our teachers to share their stories and sing for us: Nimrat Kaur

Nimrat Kaur, who studied classes VIII to XII at DPS Noida, Sector 30, says, “I have been to six different schools as dad was in the Army. For me, Children’s Day was quite special as we would get sweets and chocolates from school. A flag hoisting ceremony was also organized on this day. All our shenanigans were excused for this one day in the whole year. I remember I would ask my mom to pack me cakes, chocolates and some snacks. We would also ask our teachers to share their stories and sing for us.”

Tannishtha with her school’s principal Suman Kumar; (inset) Tannishtha’s photo from her childhood days

Children’s Day meant excursions for me: Tannishtha Chatterjee

Tannishtha Chatterjee, who studied in Bluebells School International, Kailash, tells us, “During my school days, Children’s Day used to be a treat. It meant a trip to forts and monuments. My parents always ensured that I go out with friends on Children’s day and explore new places and get new experiences. And the best part was that I was in Delhi where there are so many monuments and Tughlaqabad Fort is close to my home in Delhi. So, it used to be really fun. Even now, I get very excited when I see those photos of my school days.”

Kavita Kaushik

I used to ensure that no one gets to scold me on Children’s Day: Kavita Kaushik

Kavita Kaushik, who went to IP college in Delhi, says,”When I was a kid, I made sure no one scolds me on Children’s Day and all my demands are met. And if anybody used to object, I would bat my puppy eyelids and say, ‘It’s Children’s day!’ It used to be my day. One of the best memories of my childhood is my first day at playschool, it was Navaratra and my mom thought that it would be best to dress me up as a Devi for school. Clearly, I wasn’t pleased with that and then complained about it the whole evening to my father (a CRPF official) over the phone, who was posted in Tripura then.”

Falaq Naaz

We were never pampered by our teachers on Children’s Day: Falaq Naaz

TV actress Falaq Naaz, who went to Preet Public School, Preet Vihar, tells us that she remembers pampering her teachers on Teacher’s Day but she never got pampered in return. “Humein toh dant bhi pad jati thi. We never got a break from studies on that day. Hum toh padai hi karte thay us din bhi, kuch special treatment nahi milta tha. I remember getting ladoos on Independence Day, but not on Children’s Day (laughs). But I really miss my childhood. We used to play with our friends in our locality but kids of today’s generation do not even step out. They are too tech savvy, our childhood was better,” she says.

Ankit Gera

Children’s Day used to be our feast day: Ankit Gera

TV actor Ankit Gera who went to Kalka Public School says, “I have such amazing memories of Children’s Day. We used to have special celebrations in school. Everyone used to bring different kinds of food from home specially prepared for that day. Even the teachers used to either bring food from home or cook for us. We used to decorate our class and have such an amazing party in school with home-cooked food. For me, Children’s Day was all about food. I really miss those days.”

Shraddha Arya

Children’s Day meant mom’s burgers and house-party!: Shraddha Arya

Shraddha Arya, who was a student of Hans Raj Model School, Punjabi Bagh, says, “On Children’s Day, I used to throw a house party and invite my friends. My parents always ensured that we had a special day. My mom used to prepare ‘fat burgers’ for us. The most vivid memories of Children’s Day are those parties and those home-made burgers.”

Prachi Tehlan

We were treated by our coach on this day: Prachi Tehlan

TV actress Prachi Tehlan who has done her schooling from Montford School, Ashok Vihar, says, “Most of my life I have spent celebrating Children’s Day on the basketball court. Children’s Day humesha khelte hue hi celebrate hota tha. On this day, our coach used to get chocolates for us, we used to have fun activities on the court. Basketball na khelke Basketball se hi fun games khelte the. I also remember our vice-principal treating us with ice-cream because we used to win all tournaments. We used to win all the tournaments and that is how we were treated on this day.”

Arjit Taneja

More than school, it was a day to look forward to at home: Arjit Taneja

TV actor Arjit Taneja who has done his schooling from Modern School, Barakhamba Road says, “Children’s Day was always very exciting, more than school it was a day to look forward to at home! My birthday is on November 10 and Children’s day is on Nov 14 so I would be given gifts by my parents. In school also, there would be a function as it was Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday. However, like I said the day was more special at home for me. I was always pretty excited as it was double celebrations for me.”

Ribbhu Mehra

I felt like a king on Children’s Day: Ribbhu Mehra

TV actor Ribbhu Mehra says, “In my school, Vishwa Bharti Public School in Noida, Sector 28, we would look forward to Children’s Day as we would have the official permission to skip classes and practice for our performance for the Children’s day function. I was a naughty kid in school and along with my gang, I would imitate our teachers during the practice. We felt like kings on this day.”